JAPAN OPENS MUSEUM ON DISPUTED ISLANDS

JAPAN : On Thursday opened a museum in Tokyo devoted to two sets of disputed islands, a move likely to spark-

Anger from South Korea and China, which also claim sovereignty.

The museum, run by the Japanese government, displays documents and photographs defending Japan's claims over the islands.

Japan has a long standing dispute with China over uninhabited islands in the East China Sea.

They are administered by Japan, where they are known as ''Senkaku''  but also claimed by China, which calls them ''Diaoyu''.

Tokyo also claims islands in the sea of Japan that are controlled by South Korea. They are known as  Dokdo in Korean and Takeshima in Japanese.

''We hope that will be a key facility that deepens understanding on the Takeshima and Senkaku islands,'' said Tetsuma Esaki, minister in charge of territorial issues, as he opened the museum, according to local media.

The move comes after Japan recently spotted a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine in waters  surrounding Tokyo-administered isles in East China Sea.

- Agencies.